Climbing holds for use in rock climbing and rock climbing system

ABSTRACT

A climbing hold and a rock climbing system for use in rock climbing are disclosed. The climbing hold includes a climbing hold body which is provided with a conductive film and a circuit board. The rock climbing system includes a climbing wall, a main control unit, a control terminal, and a plurality of climbing holds. The main control unit includes a circuit board containing a microcontroller unit (MCU). The climbing hold circuit board and the main circuit board are electrically connected. The control terminal and the main control unit are electrically connected. When the climbing hold is being touched, the conductive film and the static electricity capacity of human body combine to cause a change in electrostatic capacity. The climbing hold circuit board can detect such a change instantaneously and send a status signal to the control terminal. Analysis can be performed by monitoring the status of every climbing hold.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/132,223 filed on Apr. 18, 2016 which claims thebenefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510447708.6 filed on Jul.27, 2015 and Hong Kong Short-term Patent Application No. 16102763.3filed on Mar. 10, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a rock climbing device, andspecifically relates to climbing holds for use in rock climbing and arock climbing system.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Nowadays, apart from natural stones, artificial climbing holds orhandholds are widely adopted as climbing holds for use in artificialrock climbing wall or rock climbing system. Climbing holds can be madeof various compositions of polymeric materials such as resin, etc. Toenhance the attractiveness of climbing and let more youths and childrento participate in the climbing activities, fluorescent climbing holdswith built-in LEDs, transparent or translucent climbing holds withbuilt-in LEDs have emerged. However, variations that could be made tothese climbing holds are very limited. One can only preset illuminatingclimbing routes of different colors. The only changes are illuminationof the entire group, individual illumination and flashing, etc.

SUMMARY

An object of the present application is to provide climbing holds foruse in rock climbing and a rock climbing system. The climbing holds foruse in rock climbing can perceive the climbing status of a climber andinstantly send the status information to a control terminal for analysisand judgment.

According to one aspect, there is provided a climbing hold for use inrock climbing, including a climbing hold body, the climbing hold bodybeing provided with a conductive film. When the climbing hold is beingclimbed, the conductive film and the static electricity capacity of thehuman body combine to cause a change in electrostatic capacity. Theclimbing hold further includes a climbing hold control circuit board,the climbing hold control circuit board being electrically connectedwith the conductive film.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, at least one light-emitting diode (LED) is provided inside theclimbing hold body, and the LED is electrically connected with theclimbing hold control circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, the climbing hold may include a plurality of LEDs, and theLEDs may include a full color LED and a white LED.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, a housing case is provided inside the climbing hold body, andthe conductive film is provided between the climbing hold body and thehousing case.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, the climbing hold further includes a conductive filmprotecting housing case. The conductive film protecting housing case issleeved around an outer side of the conductive film, and the conductivefilm protecting housing case is provided between the climbing hold bodyand the conductive film.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, a communication interface with electric power supply isprovided on the climbing hold control circuit board, and thecommunication interface is RJ11 or RJ45.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, a climbing hold microcontroller unit (MCU) is provided on theclimbing hold control circuit board, and the climbing hold MCU iselectrically connected with the conductive film.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, the climbing hold control circuit board is located inside theclimbing hold or behind a climbing wall.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, a wireless transmitter and receiver module is provided on theclimbing hold control circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, the climbing hold further includes a photoelectric sensor forreceiving laser emitting from a laser pen in order to set up a climbingroute, and the photoelectric sensor is electrically connected with theclimbing hold control circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the climbing hold for use in rockclimbing, the climbing hold further includes a pressure sensor forobtaining the force when a climber grips the climbing hold and thepressure sensor is electrically connected with the climbing hold controlcircuit board.

According to another aspect, there is provided a rock climbing system,comprising a climbing wall; a main control unit; a control terminal; anda plurality of climbing holds, wherein the climbing holds are providedon the climbing wall, and the main control unit comprises a main controlcircuit board, the main control circuit board being provided thereonwith a main MCU, and wherein the climbing hold control circuit board ofthe climbing hold is electrically connected with the main controlcircuit board, and the control terminal is electrically connected withthe main control circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the rock climbing system, the controlterminal is a computer terminal or an intelligent terminal.

According to an embodiment of the rock climbing system, the main controlunit is provided with a wireless communication module, and the maincontrol unit is connected with the control terminal through the wirelesscommunication module.

According to an embodiment of the rock climbing system, the main controlunit is provided with a near field communication module forcommunication with the intelligent terminal.

The climbing holds for use in rock climbing and the rock climbing systemof the present application have the following beneficial effects. Theclimbing hold of the present application is provided with a conductivefilm. When the climbing hold is being climbed, the conductive film andthe static electricity capacity of the human body combine to cause achange in electrostatic capacity. The climbing hold control circuitboard of the climbing hold can instantly detect the change and send theinformation to a control terminal. In the rock climbing system of thepresent application, the control terminal can monitor in real time thestatus of the climbing holds being climbed for statistical analysis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the climbing holds for use in rock climbing andthe rock climbing system will now be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the climbing hold forrock climbing of the present application;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the climbing holdfor rock climbing of the present application;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram of the structure of an embodiment ofthe rock climbing system of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram of the structure of another embodimentof the rock climbing system of the present application;

FIG. 5A is an illustrative diagram of the structure of a furtherembodiment of the rock climbing system of the present application;

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the climbing hold of FIG. 5A.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

To have a clear understanding of the technical features, objects andeffects of the climbing holds for use in rock climbing and the rockclimbing system of the present application, specific embodiments willnow be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the climbing holds for use in rock climbing and the rockclimbing system of the present application are described below indetail. These embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Likereference numerals representing like parts with like functions are usedthroughout the drawings.

The climbing hold of the present application involves the addition of alayer of conductive film on the climbing hold body. When the climbinghold is being climbed, the conductive film and the static electricitycapacity of the human body combine to cause a change in electrostaticcapacity, one would know whether the climbing holds are being inclimbing state. A rock climbing state refers to touching, hitting,grasping, gripping, hanging, picking, supporting, pushing or pressing,etc. of the climbing holds. The climbing hold control circuit boards ofthe climbing holds can send the climbing state instantly to a controlterminal for meticulous recording in the control terminal, and thencompute, count, analyze the information so as to immediately generate aresult. Climbers and/or contestants will be able to make improvement insubsequent exercises and competitions.

The conductive film almost does not occupy any space and is almostweightless. It is not necessary to make any changes to the structure ofexisting artificial climbing holds. Only a thin conductive film canachieve a monitoring function. Any one spot of the climbing holds can beutilized to a full extent of monitoring so that they can be moreconveniently and practically applied on rock climbing.

Transparent conductive films can be selected as the conductive films.Transparent conductive films can be applied on the artificial climbinghold bodies made of fluorescent, transparent and/or translucentmaterials so as to maintain their light transmittance. The conductivefilm can be applied on non-conductive climbing holds, including wood,natural stone, and resin, plastic, and rubber climbing holds such thatthere is no need to change the color or shape of existing artificialclimbing holds.

By means of the instant transmission of climbing status from theclimbing hold control circuit board during the climbing process, thecontrol terminal can easily record the time required for a climber toclimb from one climbing hold to another climbing hold, and can alsoeasily make a record of the climbing route.

In addition, the control terminal can control the climbing holds. Theclimbing holds can be provided with a plurality of LEDs. Through thecontrol terminal to select the LEDs in the diversified combination ofthe colors and lighting, which are changing the color, flashing and/orchanging color and flashing, etc., to set up a climbing route for thegames or the competitions by time and/or rules. It is not onlyconvenient and practical, but also enhances playfulness and flexibility.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a climbing hold or handhold for use inrock climbing of the present application. The climbing hold of thepresent embodiment includes a climbing hold body 1 which may be made ofa polymeric material and may also be made of a natural stone, wood, orother suitable material. The climbing hold body 1 can be provided on aclimbing wall 110 and can be used as a climbing support for rockclimbing. In order to be able to instantly obtain the climbing status, aconductive film 6 can be provided in the climbing hold body 1. Duringthe rock climbing, the conductive film 6 and the static electricitycapacity of a climber combine to cause a change in the electrostaticcapacity. The conductive film 6 is preferably a transparent conductivefilm. In the present embodiment, the climbing hold body 1 can beprovided therein with a climbing hold control circuit board 8. Theclimbing hold control circuit board 8 can be provided thereon with aclimbing hold microcontroller unit (MCU) 11. The climbing hold controlcircuit board 8 and the climbing hold MCU 11 provided thereon can beused for monitoring the electrostatic capacity change of the conductivefilm 6, hence can send the climbing status to an external equipment. Itis understood that the climbing hold MCU 11 is not a necessity. It isnot necessary to provide a climbing hold MCU 11 in the climbing hold 1.Instead, a main control unit 210 of the rock climbing system can be usedfor directly monitoring the electrostatic capacity change of theconductive film 6.

The conductive film 6 can be a transparent conductive film 6, whichshould be made of polyester, resin mixture and resin mixture ofpolythiophene and polyethylene terephthalate. The conductive film 6 andthe static electricity capacity of the human body combine to cause achange in electrostatic capacity. The conductive film 6 can stillcombine the static electricity capacity of a human body even they areseparated the climbing hold body 1 or other materials. It is understoodthat the conductive film 6 can be non-transparent or translucent. Atpresent, the touch screen of an intelligent terminal uses suchtransparent conductive film.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in order to allow the climbingholds to be able to serve a guiding function and enhance playfulness ofclimbing, the climbing hold body 1 may be provided thereon with an LED14. One or more LEDs 14 may be provided. The LEDs 14 can be white, red,yellow and blue in color, full color, or in any other colors. The LEDs14 can also be color-changing LEDs. The LEDs 14 and the climbing holdcontrol circuit board 8 can be electrically connected, and can becontrolled by the climbing hold MCU 11 based on commands from anexternal control terminal. The external control terminal can turn on/offthe LEDs 14, or change the color, or make the LED 14 flashing withdifferent speed. Moreover, to enhance the interactivity during climbing,the external control terminal can provide feedback when it receives theclimbing status on every climbing hold. It could change the color in theclimbing hold, etc.

In the present embodiment, in order to protect the conductive film 6, aconductive film protecting housing case 3 (outer housing) and a housingcase 7 (inner housing) may be provided inside the climbing hold body 1.The conductive film 6 can be fitted closely between the outer housing 3and the inner housing 7 such that the shape of the conductive film 6 canbe fixed. The climbing hold body 1 is located at an outer portion of theouter housing 3 and the inner housing 7. The conductive film 6 can beconnected to the climbing hold control circuit board 8 by a screw 4 anda flat gasket 5. The screw 4 can serve a fixing function, fixingconductive film 6 on the inner housing 7 and also, it could connect theconductive film 6 to the climbing hold control circuit board 8.Furthermore, the outer housing 3 of the present embodiment can be in theform of a cover covering the inner housing 7 and the conductive film 6.The outer housing 3 can serve to protect the conductive film 6. It canprevent the conductive film 6 from being destroyed when rotating theclimbing hold body 1. The climbing hold body 1 can cover the outerhousing 3. The outer housing 3 can be fixed into the inner housing 7 byscrews 2.

In the present embodiment, the climbing hold control circuit board 8 canbe fixed on the inner housing 7 by screws 10. The climbing hold controlcircuit board 8 may be provided with a communication interface 9 withelectric power supply to the climbing hold control circuit board 8 aswell as communication with the main control unit 210. In the presentembodiment, the communications interface 9 can be an RJ11 socket. It isunderstood that the communications interface 9 can be other suitablestandard interface, such as RJ45 interface, etc.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, for easily install the climbing holds,the climbing hold control circuit board 8 can be provided thereon with awireless transmitter and receiver module 15 for communication betweenthe climbing holds and the main control unit 210 of the rock climbingsystem. The wireless transmitter and receiver module 15 can be a WiFimodule, Bluetooth module, or other suitable wireless transmitter andreceiver module.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to more conveniently set upthe climbing route, the climbing holds can be further provided with aphotoelectric sensor 13 for receiving laser emitting from a laser penfor setting up a rock climbing route. The photoelectric sensor 13 can beelectrically connected with the climbing hold control circuit board 8.The photoelectric sensor 13 can be provided at a place where it can beeasily irradiated by the laser pen. For example, the photoelectricsensor 13 can be provided on the climbing hold body 1, or it can beprovided on the climbing hold control circuit board 8. When thephotoelectric sensor 13 is irradiated by the laser pen, a correspondingelectrical signal is generated so as to determine whether a climbinghold is selected.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to obtain the rock-grippingforce of the climber, the climbing hold can be provided with a pressuresensor 12. After a climber exerts a force on the climbing hold, theproductive film 6 can sense the gripping force and time in all positionof the climbing hold, and send them to the pressure sensor 12 foranalysis. The pressure sensor 12 and the climbing hold control circuitboard 8 can be electrically connected. Through the conductive film 6 andthe pressure sensor 12, one can monitor and record the climber'sclimbing status and activity in real time. Detailed climbing data canbring all kinds of climber to have a new climbing experience andimprovement.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the climbing hold of the presentapplication. In the previous embodiment, the climbing hold controlcircuit board 8 can be disposed within the climbing hold, and theclimbing hold is provided on the climbing wall 110. In the presentembodiment, the climbing hold control circuit board 8 can be providedbehind the climbing wall 110. The climbing hold control circuit board 8can be connected with the climbing hold body 1 by connecting elements,such as screws or wires, passing through the climbing wall 110. Thisstructure helps to save space in the climbing hold.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the rock climbing system of the presentapplication. The rock climbing system includes a climbing wall 110provided with a plurality of climbing holds 100 for use in rock climbingaccording to the present application. The climbing holds 100 can bemounted on the climbing wall 110 in various arrangements. The rockclimbing system also includes a main control unit 210. The main controlunit 210 may include a main control circuit board 200. The main controlcircuit board 200 can be provided thereon with a main microcontrollerunit (MCU), and a USB interface 201 and/or a wireless communicationmodule 202. The climbing hold control circuit board 8 of the climbinghold 100 can be connected with the main control circuit board 200through a telephone line 120. The rock climbing system also includes acontrol terminal electrically connected with the main control circuitboard 200. The control terminal can be a computer terminal 310 and/or anintelligent terminal 320. The intelligent terminal 320 can be a smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet, etc. The controlterminal can be connected with the main control circuit board 200 by anelectrical cable through the USB interface 201, or by wirelesscommunication through the wireless communication module 202. The maincontrol circuit board 200 can be provided thereon with the USB interface201 or the wireless communication module 202 only, or it can be providedthereon with both the USB interface 201 and the wireless communicationmodule 202. The main control circuit board 200 can be provided thereonwith a near field communication module (NFC module) 203. The near-fieldcommunication module 203 can be communicated with a near-fieldcommunication module of the intelligent terminal 320. Climbers can checkthe records of the climbing activities from the intelligent terminal320. With apps installed in the intelligent terminal, a climber caneasily preset climbing routes on the intelligent terminal 320, then putthe intelligent terminal 320 on the main control circuit board 200, andthe climbing route for that individual climber can be revealedimmediately. Of course, it is understood that the main control circuitboard 200 can be provided thereon with other types of communicationinterface.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the rock climbing system of thepresent application. In this embodiment, apart from using electricalcables to connect climbing holds with the main control circuit board 200for communication, wireless communicate can also be used forcommunication. Each climbing hold 100, through its wireless transmitterand receiver module 15, can carry out wireless communication with themain control circuit board 200. When a climbing hold 100 is beingtouched or released, it can transmit signals from its wirelesstransmitter and receiver module 15 to the main MCU of the main controlcircuit board 200. Similarly, the main control unit 210 can alsotransmit signals to the climbing hold MCU 11 through its wirelesscommunication module 202. In the present embodiment, the communicationbetween the main control unit 210 and the control terminal 310 also canbe wireless communication.

In the rock climbing system of the present application, when a climberclimbs to a climbing hold, the conductive film 6 of the climbing holdand the static electricity capacity of the human body combine to cause achange in electrostatic capacity. When the electrostatic capacity changeis detected by the climbing hold MCU 11 on the climbing hold controlcircuit board 8, and it is determined that the climber climbs to thatclimbing hold, then the climbing hold status will be immediatelytransmitted to the main control unit 210. When the climbing hold MCU 11detects that the climbing hold is being gripped by a climber over 3seconds, and it is determined that the climber has gripped the climbinghold, then the rock climbing status is immediately transmitted to themain control unit 210. Of course, it is understood that the grippingtime of the climbing hold can be set as needed. When the climberreleases the climbing hold, the electrostatic capacity of the conductivefilm 6 will be returned to normal. After the electrostatic capacitychange is detected by the climbing hold MCU 11, it is determined thatthe climber has released the climbing hold, then the status will beimmediately transmitted to the main control unit 210. When the maincontrol unit 210 has received the status of every climbing hold, it willtransmit the status of the climbing holds to the control terminal, whichmay be computer terminal 310 or intelligent terminal 320, through USB.The control terminal can be installed with a corresponding application,which will immediately display the change of status of every climbinghold. Through the application of the rock climbing system in the controlterminal and the diversification of the colors and lightingcombinations, one can design a different climbing route and game.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show other embodiments of the rock climbing systemand the climbing hold respectively. In the rock climbing system of thepresent embodiment, climbing hold 100 is no longer provided with aclimbing hold MCU 11. The conductive film 6 of the climbing hold 100 andLEDs can be connected directly to the main control circuit board 200 ofthe main control unit 210. The main MCU of the main control circuitboard 200 can directly monitor electrostatic capacity change of theconductive film 6 and control the LEDs.

The climbing hold of the present embodiment is provided with aconductive film. When a climbing hold is being climbed, theelectrostatic capacity of the conductive film will be changed. Theclimbing hold MCU 11 of the climbing hold control circuit board 8 caninstantly detect the change and send the information to the controlterminal. In the rock climbing system of the present embodiment, thecontrol terminal can monitor in real time the rock climbing status ofthe climbing holds for statistics and analysis.

The climbing hold of the present embodiment is provided with aconductive film 6 and a control circuit board 8, and can sense pressurein all positions. When a climber exerts a force on the climbing hold,the conductive film 6 can sense the gripping force, and provide the datato the control terminal for statistical analysis. Detailed climbing datacan bring all kinds of climber to have a new climbing experience andimprovement.

Specific embodiments have been described above with reference to theaccompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limitedto the above specific embodiments. The above specific embodiments aremerely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. It shouldbe noted that, upon reading the above disclosure, a person skilled inthe art can make various other changes or modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A climbing hold for use in rock climbing,comprising a climbing hold body, the climbing hold body being providedwith a conductive film such that when the climbing hold is beingclimbed, the conductive film and a human body's static electricitycapacity combine to cause a change in electrostatic capacity; and theclimbing hold further comprising a climbing hold control circuit board,the climbing hold control circuit board being electrically connectedwith the conductive film; wherein the climbing hold further comprises aconductive film protecting housing case, the conductive film protectinghousing case being sleeved around an outer side of the conductive film,the conductive film protecting housing case being provided between theclimbing hold body and the conductive film.
 2. The climbing hold for usein rock climbing as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onelight-emitting diode (LED) is provided inside the climbing hold body,and the LED is electrically connected with the climbing hold controlcircuit board.
 3. The climbing hold for use in rock climbing as claimedin claim 2, comprising a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs comprising a fullcolor LED and a white LED.
 4. The climbing hold for use in rock climbingas claimed in claim 1, wherein a communication interface with electricpower supply is provided on the climbing hold control circuit board, andthe communication interface with electric power supply is an RJ11 orRJ45 interface.
 5. The climbing hold for use in rock climbing as claimedin claim 1, wherein a climbing hold microcontroller unit (MCU) isprovided on the climbing hold control circuit board, and the climbinghold MCU is electrically connected with the conductive film.
 6. Theclimbing hold for use in rock climbing as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe climbing hold control circuit board is located behind a climbingwall and the conductive film is connected to the climbing hold controlcircuit board by a second screw and a flat gasket.
 7. The climbing holdfor use in rock climbing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wirelesstransmitter and receiver module is provided on the climbing hold controlcircuit board.
 8. The climbing hold for use in rock climbing as claimedin claim 1, wherein the climbing hold further comprises a photoelectricsensor for receiving laser emitting from a laser pen so as to set up arock climbing route, and the photoelectric sensor is electricallyconnected with the climbing hold control circuit board.
 9. The climbinghold for use in rock climbing as claimed in claim 1, wherein theclimbing hold further comprises a pressure sensor, and the pressuresensor is electrically connected with the climbing hold control circuitboard.
 10. The climbing hold for use in rock climbing as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the climbing hold control circuit board is locatedinside the climbing hold, in front of a climbing wall.
 11. A rockclimbing system, characterized by a climbing wall; a main control unit;a control terminal; and a plurality of climbing holds each comprising aclimbing hold body, the climbing hold body being provided with aconductive film such that when the climbing hold is being climbed, theconductive film and a human body's static electricity capacity combineto cause a change in electrostatic capacity; and each climbing holdfurther comprising a climbing hold control circuit board, the climbinghold control circuit board being electrically connected with theconductive film; wherein the climbing holds are provided on the climbingwall, and the main control unit comprises a main control circuit board,the main control circuit board being provided thereon with a mainmicrocontroller unit (MCU), and wherein the climbing hold controlcircuit board of the climbing hold is electrically connected with themain control circuit board, and the control terminal is electricallyconnected with the main control circuit board; wherein the climbing holdfurther comprises a conductive film protecting housing case, theconductive film protecting housing case being sleeved around an outerside of the conductive film, the conductive film protecting housing casebeing provided between the climbing hold body and the conductive film.12. The rock climbing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the controlterminal is a computer terminal or an intelligent terminal.
 13. The rockclimbing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the main control unit isprovided with a wireless communication module, and the main control unitis connected with the control terminal through the wirelesscommunication module.
 14. The rock climbing system as claimed in claim11, wherein the main control unit is provided with a near fieldcommunication module for communication with an intelligent terminal. 15.The rock climbing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the climbinghold comprises a plurality of LEDs, and the plurality of LEDs comprisesa full color LED and a white LED.
 16. The rock climbing system asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the climbing hold further comprises aphotoelectric sensor for receiving laser emitting from a laser pen so asto set up a rock climbing route, and the photoelectric sensor iselectrically connected with the climbing hold control circuit board. 17.The rock climbing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the climbinghold further comprises a pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor iselectrically connected with the climbing hold control circuit board.